How can I catch a vandal in the act?

Question

Long story short - I have a $700,000 house in north carolina being rented out by an old lady (the house wouldn't sell) and the next-door neighbors are completely insane and we had a feud when we lived there. The mother encourages her 11 year old son to go out in to their back yard and shoot out my security cameras, lights and even windows & cars with a high-powered BB gun. He also has been scooping out koi from the koi pond and killing them. I just went back to do some maintenance for the lady (she's a good friend) and noticed that the custom-made light over the shed has been shattered... FOR THE 3RD TIME. These people have put about $2,000 in damage to the house in the past year and the police claim that they can't do anything without sufficient evidence. How could I catch them in the act? What should I do about this?

Answer 1

Horrible neighbors there.... I'd suggest putting up hidden cameras facing their home.  I think you need to catch the kid in the act if the police say they can't do anything, from their perspective they're probably thinking it could be the kid, but it could also be someone else.  No proof.  You could hire someone to stake out their house but that would cost money.  Why not you and some friends stake out this kid's home, armed with video cameras.  Each of you take a different window, keep your home dark, and videotape what goes on.... so if the kid comes out and throws things at your home or starts shooting a BB, you'll have it on tape.  Then take it to the police... hard for them to ignore your complaint then.  I'm sure the renter at your home would be willing, it's to keep her safe too.  Another thing.  Call Child Protective Services, make your complaint and say you're concerned about this kid's welfare, he's wild and is lawless, and explain your situation.  This kid's mom sounds unfit to be a mom.  That should put some heat on them.  Or if you live in a planned community, complain.  Hope this helps, and I hope this kid and his mother get caught.  Stay safe!

After you get the evidence you could go court and sue them for damages.

Answer 2

I would hire a private detective to take pictures of the people doing the damage, since they are shooting at every thing that is put up.  Obviously you can not just put up a camera a not have them shoot at it and ruin it again.

However a private detective might be able to get the pictures that you are needing as evidence to be able to turn over to the police.  It would certainly be worth the cost of hiring one for a couple of days to do the leg work.  Plus you should be able to write if off on your taxes as a business expense for your property.  It is a legal matter so that it should be able to be written off.

The person could either be in the house taking pictures or located out side some where doing the job.  It may be some thing that you want to look into doing for your self.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and also that the camera never lies.  The pictures will be your evidence for the police as well as you probably could sue them for all the damage that they have done to your property.

I wish you all the best.  I hope that this will help you with the trouble that you are having with your neighbors and what they are doing to your property.

Answer 3

Use hidden cameras activated from inside the house.

Check out this site:

http://www.thepayback.com/

Answer 4

A few suggestions.  Invest in some tougher cameras, especially ones that are hidden.  They can't shoot out cameras if they don't know they're there right?

You might even go so far as to hire a private investigator to do surveillance on the house.  It would be pricey, but if you can cast enough suspicion on them it could help you win the lawsuit you will file for the damages as well as get the restraining order you need.

Answer 5

You're going to have to catch it on film to make your case. Once you have your evidence documented, you'll have 'em. You can do it yourself or hire a private investigator to catch them in the act. It won't be cheap, but you've got to stop those jerks. I wish you the best of luck, and wish I had a better solution for you.

Answer 6

well id go with the answer from mattyboy i think it isand hide the cameras or depending on the gun he uses get some cameras that you know hes gonna shoot at and put some think perspecks don't know how to spell it but its that think plastic stuff its see through. and record it to a large hard drive and when he shoots at it you will get a video of him shooting :D. i think you should get some mesh and then bolt the perspecks to that on all sides

im 15 so of course if they did that to my house id have a brick with some high power explosive through their window's

have fun

Answer 7

HIRE A DETECTIVE . GOOD LUCK.

Answer 8

I would tell you to be stealthy about your camera position and when you install your night vision equip don't do it when the offending neighbor is home ...stick around a couple of days to throw off your real intent ....fix your damages....reset your old cams as if they still work while you watch them to see when they leave this may take a few days to ascertain but you will be success full in the end ......do not use the same old set up! cameras are cheap, smaller is harder to hit.... check into websites with surveillance cams and night vision as afore mentioned use a couple of obvious cams for his shooting pleasure and distraction while your new smaller working cams nab your perp!! you might even try an inside cam that would take a second shot to hit it....breaking the window glass on the first shot would alert your lady friend and deflect the shot from hitting the evidence cam... along with other advise.... Good luck and I hope you bag your Bozo in the act!!

Answer 9

I'd do some undercover work at night, like maybe stay up all night in the shed with a night vision camera or maybe get some mean old dogs that bark alot and keep them in the backyard at your rental property